WorldWideWeb vs Expose HTTP Server

This app’s name is an homage to the world’s first web server. Back in 1989, Tim Berners-Lee started the web on his NeXT computer. On that computer was an app named WorldWideWeb. This app was unique because it allowed his machine to edit and serve HTML documents. The app also used coding frameworks that were adopted by Apple after purchasing NeXT: they are being used right now to display what you’re reading. Like that original app, this WorldWideWeb is a handy web development tool. It’s designed for people who need to test things on their iPad or iPhone before moving the files onto a real web server like Apache or nginx. It also allows you to work in those increasingly rare moments where you don’t have a connection to the Internet. App developers can use this server to simulate and test APIs that their product uses. FEATURES WorldWideWeb does things differently than today’s production web servers: • Automatic refresh — Watches your site and reloads browser when there are changes • No caching — Every request gets a new response, no cache busters needed • Easy to configure — Pick a folder and go • Directory listings — A handy list of files whenever you hit a URL that doesn’t exist • Bonjour support – Automatic DNS for easy access using devices on your local network • REST support — Set default responses as JSON or XML for easy mocking of APIs • No external dependencies — Completely standalone and doesn’t need other tools like Python or Ruby • Built-in security — Runs completely in a sandbox, no access to data unless you allow it • Powerful and lightweight – A small memory footprint with minimal CPU overhead • No rocket science — Perfect for clients and other folks who are less technically inclined

Expose turns your iPhone or iPad into a local HTTP/API server for the same Wi-Fi network. Use it as a file server, WebDAV server, static site host, and mock API workbench: computers, test devices, browsers, scripts, TVs, and dev boards can open your local URL or scan a QR code without installing another app. Use Expose for: - Wi-Fi file sharing: send photos, videos, documents, and folders to Mac, Windows, Linux, TV boxes, NAS workflows, and nearby devices - Local WebDAV: browse folders from Finder, Files, rclone, Cyberduck, and compatible clients; enable uploads or WebDAV write only when you choose - Mock API testing: create JSON, HTML, redirects, status codes, headers, latency, and conditional responses; match query, path, header, or request body values, inspect captured payloads, and replay requests - Dynamic response templates: insert request values, UUIDs, timestamps, and random data, then verify output with a live preview and sample inputs - Static site preview: serve a folder as a local website with index.html and SPA fallback - Automation: use Shortcuts or Siri to start, stop, or copy the running server URL - Session upkeep: bulk-select routes, sources, and logs to clear them fast; broken-source warnings flag missing files or photos; guided Local Network permission and actionable recovery when a start fails Expose stays local-first. It does not require a cloud account, does not upload your files, photos, routes, or logs to our servers, and does not publish your device to the public internet. You choose what to share and control access with token, Basic/Bearer auth, Host/CORS/IP allowlists, and HTTPS. Because iOS limits background execution, Expose is designed for user-started foreground local sessions. Keep Screen Awake and short background grace improve hands-on testing, but Expose is not a 24/7 background hosting platform. Privacy Policy: https://expose.bonjour.dev/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://expose.bonjour.dev/terms